I take a seat on the airplane, take a deep breath and finally relax.
It feels like I've been running for the past 20 days in fast paced Dubai and now I can take a short break.
I am heading back to Amman after The Orenda Tribe related trip to Dubai when it hits me, it has almost been a year since I quit my job to start The Orenda Tribe journey and my mind drifts away trying to recollect all the memories throughout this year.
It has been an exhilarating journey stretched over several countries across the world and full of inspiring and interesting people.
Although I am the only employee registered today in The Orenda Tribe, the brand is in more than 9 shops across 6 countries. We worked on more than 10 giving back projects in refugee camps and distressed communities and there is a lot more to come.
I use WE instead of I, because The Orenda Tribe is every single person who has contributed to the success of this journey so far and this list includes numerous selfless beautiful people who I would like to thank.
The people who supported The Orenda Tribe at the idea stage. The ones who helped in branding, design, selling the t-shirts in the markets and spreading the word around.
The retailers who welcomed us into their shops and the media parties who featured The Orenda Tribe and increased our outreach.
The refugee camp residents who welcomed us into their homes and inspired us with their humbleness and their amazing stories.
The people who volunteered and helped in the camps.
My friends who supported me and a special thank you to my amazing family who believed in me and that I am so blessed to have.
Due to my indulgence into The Orenda Tribe and my focus all over the place I didn't have the time to properly Thank all of those people.
So here I would like to say, Thank You.
The journey is still on its first step and I look forward for the upcoming days.
Moments from our journey so far:
Joud with the children of the Za'atari Refugee Camp during our first giving back mission:
During an art workshop with an underprivileged school at Ain Al Basha:
Our first photo-shoot (The watermelon seems to be the center of attention):
Spreading happiness through Art at the opening day of a kindergarten at The Gaza Refugee Camp:
After buying clothes for children from the Gaza Refugee Camp and our first collaboration with the inspiring one love organization which lead to many amazing projects at the Gaza Refugee Camp:
First giving back Art Therapy related project with The SOS Jordan:
With 15 awesome The Orenda Tribe volunteers and the inspiring color the camps crew:
Having fun at the Gaza School Beautification Project:
With some of the people who always welcome us at the Gaza Refugee Camp:
One more great moment and follow us on instagram to see the rest (that is enough of pictures for one post):
Inspire Hope,
Zaid Souqi
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Support our cause of empowering children through art, by buying our 100% organic cotton purposeful t-shirts. The artwork on the t-shirts is made by children living in our partner communities and refugee camps. A gift with a cause.
Link to our collection: Our T-Shirts
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